Growing economic challenges are cing the way many Nigerian parents respond to their children’s school assignments. What used to be a routine part of family life is now becoming a source of stress as parents juggle demanding work schedules and rising living costs.
Across several households parents say they no longer have enough time to supervise or assist their young children with the large volume of homework given by schools particularly for pupils in nursery and early primary classes.
Many mothers who once had more time at home now balance multiple jobs or side businesses to support their families. As a result helping children with homework late in the evening has become increasingly difficult.
Judith Shaba a women’s wear vendor shared her frustration after her four year old daughter was given a French assignment shortly after the class began learning the language. She said she returned the homework to the school explaining that a child who had just been introduced to a new language could not realistically complete such a task within a week.
Fatimah Braimoh a foodstuff trader also described the pressure she faces as a working parent. According to her her young son once received eight different homework assignments in a single day. She explained that after a long day of work and managing a side business she barely has time for herself let alone supervising multiple school tasks.
She added that children already spend long hours in school often leaving home early in the morning and returning late in the afternoon. Expecting them to immediately begin several assignments without proper rest she said places unnecessary pressure on both parents and children.
Another parent Sheriffat Audu who runs a provision shop said she once returned her son’s homework undone after he was asked to write numbers from one to one thousand alongside several other exercises. She argued that the workload was excessive for a primary one pupil and unfair for a child below six years old.
With complaints to schools sometimes producing little ce some parents are turning to technology for assistance. Judith Ogedengbe a staff member at a tertiary institution said she now uses the artificial intelligence tool ChatGPT to help her son complete difficult assignments.
She explained that after a stressful day of work managing homework can become overwhelming and digital tools provide some relief.
Many parents are now calling on schools to reduce the volume of homework given to young children emphasizing that rest and play are also essential parts of healthy childhood development.
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